Heart Rhythm Disturbances
What happens when my heart rhythm changes?
Most of us are unaware that our heart beats continuously and predictably, unless we hear our heartbeat with a stethoscope or feel our pulse. Normal heart rates range between 60 to 90 beats per minute at rest. Heart rhythm disturbances can cause the heart rate to go outside the normal heart rate limits. These disturbances range from being symptom-free to very abnormal, leading to syncope (fainting). Extreme cases may be fatal.
The good news is that the evaluation and treatment of abnormal heart rhythms (called arrhythmias) has made significant advances in the last decade. The result has been improved patient outcomes. This specialty constitutes a major program at the Inova Heart Center.
What are the symptoms of an abnormal heart rhythm?
The symptoms of a heart rhythm disturbance (arrhythmia) depends on several factors: (1) the type of arrhythmia, (2) how fast or slow the disturbance is, (3) the frequency with which it occurs (once a year versus once a day), (4) how long it lasts (seconds, days, a lifetime), (5) presence of other heart problems (a heart attack, an enlarged heart, heart failure), and (6) age.
Generally speaking, the more severe the heart rhythm disturbance, the more symptoms the patient experiences.
Symptoms may include one or more of the following: Fluttering, palpitations, heart pounding
- Fainting (syncope)
- Slight confusion or lightheadedness
- Weakness or extreme fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Skin feeling cold and clammy
How is a heart rhythm disturbance diagnosed?
- Electrocardiogram
- Holter Monitor (24 hour ambulatory EKG monitor and event recorders)
- Exercise Stress Test
- Echocardiogram
- Electrophysiological Studies
- Event Monitor/Loop Recorder
How is a heart rhythm disturbance treated?
Once accurately diagnosed, the heart rhythm disturbances can be treated in a number of ways at the Inova Heart Center. Non-invasive treatments includes medications that regulate heart rhythm and lifestyle changes, such as reducing stress, avoiding caffeine and alcohol.
Invasive techniques to correct a heart rhythm disturbance include:
- Pacemaker
- Implantable Cardiac Defibrillator
- Ablation
- Electrical Cardioversion
- Warning Signs
- Emergency Department
- Angina
- Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
- Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction)
- Other Causes of Chest Discomfort
- Heart Valves and Heart Valve Disease
- Heart Rhythm Disturbances
- Congestive Heart Failure
- Atrial Fibrillation
- Cardiomyopathy
- Heart Murmur
- Mitral Valve Prolapse
- Bacterial Endocarditis
